Nandrolone is by far one of the most popular anabolic steroids available. This is due to the compound's affinity for being highly anabolic but relatively mild in terms of androgenic side effects. By attaching the phenylpropionate ester to the nandrolone base, the compound offers all of the advantages of nandrolone while also allowing it to reach blood concentration levels much more quickly than with the more popular decanoate ester.

Nandrolone phenylpropionate can be used to treat anemia by increasing red blood cell production, as do most anabolic steroids (1,2). However the rate at which nandrolone does this is somewhat higher than most. This increase in red blood cell count can help to improve an athlete's performance. This is accomplished by eliminating lactic acid much quicker and more efficiently, while also improving the delivery of oxygen to muscles (2,3). This increase in the production of red blood cells also allows muscle to recover much more quickly due to the blood being able to replenish muscle glycogen faster after physical exertion, as well as carrying those other components that aid in repair of muscles.

Medically, nandrolone is now often used to help treat patients with HIV or AIDS who are suffering from muscle wasting. However, due to the short active life of nandrolone phenylpropionate it would not be a very efficient ester to use. A longer acting ester would be more appropriate to administer in most cases.

Another benefit of nandrolone is the fact that it can improve collagen synthesis. This can help in improving joint pain, as well as their ability to function (3). Many users will often simply run nandrolone in their cycle for this specific effect. However users should be cautioned that the ability of nandrolone to heal or repair any serious damage to joints is rather small and should not relied upon for such a purpose. In fact, it may simply allow a user to do further damage to the joint without feeling the effects until much later. If using the compound for it's ability to improve the health of joints, ensure that it is not replacing proper medical treatment.

Use/Dosing

Due to the active life of the compound most users will administer nandrolone phenylpropionate every day or every other day. However one could inject the compound as little as once every four days with no significant changes to the blood levels of the drug. Nandrolone phenylpropionate can be used either in bulking or cutting cycles. The lack of water retention associated with the drug makes it particular favorable for those who do not want to deal with bloat while running anabolic steroids.

The majority of inexperienced male users anecdotally report using 300-500mgs per week of the compound for their first cycle. Of course, these numbers can climb quite high depending on the level of experience that a user has with anabolics. Women also are able to use nandrolone phenylpropionate, as the potential and potency of the virilizing effects associated with the drug are quite muted if doses are kept moderate. Doses ranging from 50 to 200mgs per week have been anecdotally reported, but again these obviously can go higher.

Risks/Side Effects

Estrogenic effects are not a major concern with use of nandrolone. However it can cause progesterone-like effects in some users. Commonly reported sides effects associated with nandrolone are such things as acne/oily skin, insomnia, diarrhea, and nausea. These of course are coupled with the common side effects most often associated with anabolic steroids including testicular atrophy, gynecomastia (including lactation in some cases), and sexual dysfunction.

To combat sexual dysfunction most users will stack testosterone with nandrolone. The obvious choice to be used with nandrolone phenylpropionate is testosterone propionate as both compounds will not cause the majority of users to retain much water. How much testosterone one would need to take to ward off side effect associated with use of nandrolone and lack of natural testosterone production varies from individual to individual. Some have anecdotally reported that a low dose similar to 200mgs per week is enough. Others state that they need to run several hundreds more milligrams per week of testosterone than nandrolone to combat the effects. There is a small minority of individuals that also report having no sexual dysfunction from the drug even while running it without any type of testosterone. This variance again demonstrates that individuals will react to a compound differently than others.

Nandrolone is relatively safe in terms of a user's lipid profile and cholesterol. In some studies it has even been shown to actually improve HDL cholesterol levels (4). A major increase in a user's blood pressure or their liver toxicity should not be noticed with this compound either. Both are relatively mild in these respects.

Since nandrolone is a progestinic anabolic steroid, some special precautions need to be taken to ensure that side effects do not get out of control. Using compounds such as bromcriptine, cabergoline and/or vitamin b6 have all been shown and reported to help lower prolactin levels. The drug femera (letrozole) is also effective for use with nandrolone as it will regulate the progesterone and estrogen receptors in the body, therefore preventing some of the negative side effects associated with the compound.

A word of caution also for those that may plan on stacking nandrolone with trenbolone. Trenbolone is a strong progestin, much stronger than even nandrolone. By running these two compounds concurrently the user will suffer from extremely high levels of prolactin. This in turn will force the user to pay special attention to progesterone-like side effects and using compounds to prevent them, as well as having to run a particularly aggressive post-cycle therapy due to severe suppression of the hypothalamus pituitary testicular axis. Some users have anecdotally reported that they have suffered no ill effects of running the two compounds together, but it is a definite risk. One must weigh the costs versus the benefits.